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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press